Dundee United skipper Jon Daly: We're all fighting for second place in SPL

JON DALY last night crowned Celtic next season’s SPL champions. But the Dundee United skipper is adamant there will be a ferocious battle to finish best of the rest in the absence of Rangers from the top flight.

But the Dundee United skipper is adamant there will be a ferocious battle to finish best of the rest in the absence of Rangers from the top flight.

The Dubliner believes Neil Lennon can crack open the champagne right now despite the new campaign being a month away from starting.

All bets are off for the striker as he’s convinced the Hoops will stroll to the championship but he insists the chase for second place will be the biggest issue in a campaign.

Daly said: “Celtic will still be there and should win the league comfortably but in behind there are five or six teams who are really evenly matched.

“All those clubs will be looking at it thinking they have a great opportunity to finish second in the league this time.

“We are one of those clubs and we’ll be working hard to try to get there.

“Hopefully we can get off to a better start this season than we did a year ago and kick on from there.”

Daly is also ready to raise the bar on his personal achievements from last season which included a 21-goal haul and nomination for SPL Player of the Year.

The Tannadice star admits it’s a hard act to follow but is aiming to surpass all expectations.

And despite United suffering a summer of transition with the loss of key players, Daly vows he’s ready to drive the team towards another impressive top-flight season.

He said: “I’d like to better what I did last term. It was a good campaign but I don’t see any reason why I can’t surpass it this time.

“It’s a high target to meet but I feel I can do even better.

“I can still improve parts of my game and will be working hard this pre-season to get in the best shape possible so I can hit the ground running.”

United’s chances of success will be enhanced by the demise of Rangers, who are set to officially lose their SPL membership at a vote on Wednesday.

Daly admits the prospect of not getting to play at Ibrox is surreal but believes it could present a chance for the other clubs to shine.

He said: “From a player’s point of view it’s disappointing because you want to play the top teams in front of big crowds.

“Ibrox is one of the best venues in the country so it’s strange to think we probably won’t be going there this season.

“But what has been going on behind closed doors is not something we know about or should be getting involved in.

“Things have happened and the club are being punished for it. It’s a bad situation but I’m sure the Scottish game will emerge stronger if they deal with it in the right way.”

If Dundee are given a place in the SPL on the back of Rangers’ demise then Daly insists the City of Discovery will relish the revival of the derby but he’s not hedging his bets as anarchy reigns.

He said: “It would be fantastic if Dundee came up and we were able to get derby matches again.

“I have been reading that Dunfermline are looking to be reinstated as well and I can understand why they think that.

“The SPL won’t be able to keep both of them happy but from a player’s point of view it would be great to have Dundee in the SPL.

“I have not played in a competitive derby and it’s been a while since the clubs faced each other regularly.

“So it would be brilliant for the clubs, the fans and the city if they were to come back.”

United jetted off to Austria last night on a pre-season tour which includes a game against Rapid Vienna on Wednesday.

And manager Peter Houston insists the arrival of sports scientist Andy Murray is a key component of their preparations as new boys Radoslaw Cierzniak, Mark Millar, Michael Gardyne and Brian McLean are put through their paces.

He said: “We brought Andy in last season and it worked well so we’ve asked him back this year.

“I was impressed by what he did so thankfully he’s been able to get off his work for a week or two to come on tour with us.

“He’s a sports scientist so he’s good to have around the place. The boys enjoy working with him.

“The players have come back in good shape but I expected that anyway.

“Going to Austria will give the new lads a chance to get to know the squad better. They have mixed very well so far.

“The key to building a good team is bringing in guys who fit in well with the players you already have.

“It’s important to have the right chemistry in the squad and I think we’ve got that.

“You need everyone you have working hard and people ready to step up to the plate. A lot of that comes from the atmosphere you create at a club.

“We have good lads here, they have worked their socks off in the past and it won’t be any different this season.

“Attitude in football is a massive thing and that’s something I looked at when signing the players I did this summer.”